Grafton proud after season ends with overtime loss in state championship game

Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

Blake Ream of Grafton yells in frustration as Christiansburg celebrates their victory in overtime over the Clippers 70-69 in the Group AA state championship game Saturday in Richmond.

Blake Ream of Grafton yells in frustration as Christiansburg celebrates their victory in overtime over the Clippers 70-69 in the Group AA state championship game Saturday in Richmond. (Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press)

Marty O'Brien, mobrien@dailypress.com | 757-247-4963

The instant classic Group AA Division 4 boys basketball state championship game between Christiansburg and Grafton high schools on Saturday in Richmond brought out the best in both teams afterward, just as the game had.

Christiansburg's players were, of course, happy as they discussed their 70-69 overtime victory in the press room. But several played on the football team that fell two points short of a Division 4 state football title in December, and expressed genuine empathy for the Grafton players.

The Clippers, for their part, refused to wallow in self pity when they met with the press. They played hard and often well, and seemed to accept that had another shot fallen or one more ball bounced their way, they would be state champs.

"We had an awesome season and we had a great game," senior Blake Ream said after leading the Clippers with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists. "Winning would've been awesome.

"To be one point away, you have to keep your head up."

Grafton guard Kevin Barnes said, "We almost won everything out there, but we came one-point short. It hurts you real bad, but at least we get to hang three banners in our gym (district, district tournament and regional).

"I'm proud of my team."

How close was it? The lead changed hands 16 times and the game was tied on 11 other occasions.

The Clippers, particularly seniors Ream and Barnes (24 points, 6-of-7 3-pointers), showed no fear on the big stage in a game played at the VCU Siegel Center and on statewide TV.

Grafton (27-4) led 17-10 after a first quarter in which Ream had seven points, four rebounds and three assists. His long pass led to a monster dunk by Elijah Moore, who closed the first quarter with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

But in the second quarter, Grafton, which likes to pick its spots to run, got caught up in the frenetic tempo Christiansburg (28-2) favors and committed 10 turnovers. The Blue Demons went on a 13-point run to start the second quarter, taking a 23-17 lead on the strength of 11 points off of turnovers.

"We worked real hard the past couple of days in practice against the pressure," Grafton coach Jeremy Jordan said. "Those traps speed you up and there are possessions when you take quick shot on the first pass, miss, they come down make another play, then get in that trap and turn you over again.

"I thought we did a good job making some adjustments and we made just seven turnovers in the second half and overtime."

The Clippers trailed 28-26 at halftime, but Ream and Barnes — who made 4-of-5 second-half 3-pointers — were effective and aggressive enough offensively to keep the game close. The Clippers were content to let Christiansburg – 5-of-22 from the — 3-point arc in the first three quarters — live or die by the 3.

Jordan wanted his players to defend the lane in the belief that it's difficult for high school kids to make threes because they aren't used to shooting them in a big arena. The tact proved correct until the end, when Christiansburg hit four of its last seven 3-point attempts.

Darius Kelly (15 points) hit a big three late in regulation to give the Blue Demons a three-point lead, but Barnes retaliated with his sixth 3-pointer to send the game into overtime tied at 60. Kam Johnson's 3-pointer and two free throws for Christiansburg were the back-breakers in overtime.

Ream spoke afterward about the thrill of playing in a state championship game and urged the underclassmen to come back next year and win it. They could contend.

Division I prospect Moore, a junior, averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard Tyler McMillan and forward Jesse Santiago, also juniors, were terrific in the state tournament quarterfinal and semifinal victories. Joey Miller, a sophomore reserve, flashed loads of potential at guard this season.

"This is going to make us get ready to work hard and come back to where we were at the end," Moore said, adding, "and get the win."